I had homer glasses on when I made my initial season predictions, and now that those glasses have been stepped on, my expectations have changed.
Previous Expectation #1: We lose at Iowa in a close one
New Expectation: We win at Iowa in a close one
-I realize it might be asking a lot for us to win in Iowa City, but I think they are just as pedestrian as we are, and it's anyone's game. Play disciplined ball and get the old Carpenter back and Santoso (from the Illinois game) and we will be in this til the end.
Previous Expectation #2: We lose at Michigan
New Expectation: We lose at Michigan in a close game
-I personally think we have a fair chance to pull an upset here, but we would have to play a damn good game and they would have to make some silly mistakes. Not sure Fleck has this bunch able to pull a win in the Big House yet.
Previous Expectation #3: We beat Nebraska in a close one
New Expectation #3: We beat Nebraska in a close one
-We better score against this Blackshirt D. Nebraska is just NOT good. Riley is done and his team will show that when the going gets tough.
Previous Expectation #4: We win at Northwestern in a close one
New Expectation #4: We lose at Northwestern in a close one
-I still like our chances here, but will not pull the trigger on the prediction as there isn't much separation between most of the Big Ten west. If Justin Jackson is healthy, I think our Run D hasn't shown enough to stop a player of his caliber yet and he is the difference between a W and an L.
Previous Expectation #5: We win a close one vs. Wisconsin
New Expectation #6: Wisconsin murders us
-I hate typing what I just typed, but we would have to play by far our best game of the year. They will run it down our throats. Croft would have to play mistake free ball, and we will need all our backs healthy. The D would need a key injured contributor or two back (not sure if that's even possible).
So, my previous expectations had us closing out the season 3-2, while my new ones have us closing at 2-3. Finishing 2-3 and this season would NOT be a success IMO, but would be acceptable with trophy wins against Iowa and yes, Nebraska. Getting to 6-6 and a bowl makes this acceptable (even exchanging a Northwestern win for and Iowa or Nebraska loss).
Pipe dream of 4-1 or god forbid 5-0 (I can't see either being true options) and PJ has this thing rolling, with people packing onto his boat like it's coming from Cuba. I just don't see it though.
If we somehow go 3-2 with wins over Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska I will call this a successful 1st season for Fleck. If it's 3-2 but substitute a win at Northwestern and loss at Michigan and it's less successful, as anytime we hold the Jug the season has to pretty much be a success.
If we only win 1 more game, this season is a big disappointment. There is no acceptable reason not to be bowl eligible with the extremely weak Big Ten West schedule we have been given.
Win 0 games to end the season and there is reason for real concern IMO. The boat will be one that is more difficult to row than ever. 2018 ticket sales will be a tough sell with the home slate scheduled.
Previous Expectation #1: We lose at Iowa in a close one
New Expectation: We win at Iowa in a close one
-I realize it might be asking a lot for us to win in Iowa City, but I think they are just as pedestrian as we are, and it's anyone's game. Play disciplined ball and get the old Carpenter back and Santoso (from the Illinois game) and we will be in this til the end.
Previous Expectation #2: We lose at Michigan
New Expectation: We lose at Michigan in a close game
-I personally think we have a fair chance to pull an upset here, but we would have to play a damn good game and they would have to make some silly mistakes. Not sure Fleck has this bunch able to pull a win in the Big House yet.
Previous Expectation #3: We beat Nebraska in a close one
New Expectation #3: We beat Nebraska in a close one
-We better score against this Blackshirt D. Nebraska is just NOT good. Riley is done and his team will show that when the going gets tough.
Previous Expectation #4: We win at Northwestern in a close one
New Expectation #4: We lose at Northwestern in a close one
-I still like our chances here, but will not pull the trigger on the prediction as there isn't much separation between most of the Big Ten west. If Justin Jackson is healthy, I think our Run D hasn't shown enough to stop a player of his caliber yet and he is the difference between a W and an L.
Previous Expectation #5: We win a close one vs. Wisconsin
New Expectation #6: Wisconsin murders us
-I hate typing what I just typed, but we would have to play by far our best game of the year. They will run it down our throats. Croft would have to play mistake free ball, and we will need all our backs healthy. The D would need a key injured contributor or two back (not sure if that's even possible).
So, my previous expectations had us closing out the season 3-2, while my new ones have us closing at 2-3. Finishing 2-3 and this season would NOT be a success IMO, but would be acceptable with trophy wins against Iowa and yes, Nebraska. Getting to 6-6 and a bowl makes this acceptable (even exchanging a Northwestern win for and Iowa or Nebraska loss).
Pipe dream of 4-1 or god forbid 5-0 (I can't see either being true options) and PJ has this thing rolling, with people packing onto his boat like it's coming from Cuba. I just don't see it though.
If we somehow go 3-2 with wins over Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska I will call this a successful 1st season for Fleck. If it's 3-2 but substitute a win at Northwestern and loss at Michigan and it's less successful, as anytime we hold the Jug the season has to pretty much be a success.
If we only win 1 more game, this season is a big disappointment. There is no acceptable reason not to be bowl eligible with the extremely weak Big Ten West schedule we have been given.
Win 0 games to end the season and there is reason for real concern IMO. The boat will be one that is more difficult to row than ever. 2018 ticket sales will be a tough sell with the home slate scheduled.
